Tunisian Police Fire Tear Gas at 'Persepolis' Film Protesters

TUNIS, Tunisia -- Tunisian police have used tear gas to disperse thousands of people protesting in the capital over the broadcast of a film they deemed blasphemous.

Worshippers poured out of al-Fatah mosque in downtown Tunis and began protesting after the imam preached against the animated film "Persepolis," which includes a physical depiction of God, which they found sacrilegious.

Police stopped the marchers as they headed toward the Nessma TV station, which originally aired the film earlier this week.

Station head Nabil Karoui has since apologized for airing the film.

Tunisia's first fair elections in its modern history are just a week away and are expected to see stiff competition between Islamist and more secular candidates.